Really great game, but man the first few chapters are a bit of a slog. It seems they just introduce one mini-game after the next. However once it gets going, very fun, deep and involving game.

Actually the Dodongo Island side game actually gets pretty good once you get the hang of it.

Some of the conversations and cut scenes are looooong though. Nobody can accuse them of neglecting character development. Still amazing how they incorporate so many different systems into the game. Plenty of content as is if you're looking for something to get lost in.

Last thing: They are clearly switching the protagonist to Ichiban over from Kiryu from when the series was known as Yakuza. If you were a fan and player of the previous games, there's so many callbacks and nostalgia packed in the game. It's a Kiryu farewell party essentially. I never played them so it's lost on me.
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"To Each His Reach"

but.....

Fuck aliens.